LiveWell Vermont

Spring is in full swing here in Vermont!  There is so much to enjoy outside in our beautiful state with our hiking trails, parks and our own back yards.  However, May is also historically a time when ticks are exceptionally abundant .  Spring tick activity is also associated with increased cases of Lyme disease. When spending time outdoors, make sure to do it responsibly using the Protect, Check, Remove, Watch System. Protect:  This includes avoiding the woody, brushy areas where ticks thrive, wearing appropriate repellants, and covering up to keep ticks off your body. Check:  Check your whole body for ticks, including using a mirror to look in hard to see places.  Showering soon after being outdoors to check for ticks more easily and wash off unattached ones is also recommended.  Also, don’t forget to check clothing, gear, and pets before coming inside. Remove:  Remove ticks as soon as you can using fine tipped tweezers and grasping them ...

It is important to know how to recognize high stress levels and take action to handle stress in healthy ways. Being able to control stress is a learned behavior. It can be effectively managed by taking small steps toward changing unhealthy behaviors.  Use the prompts below to learn how to manage your stress.  Understand how you stress Everyone experiences stress differently. How do you know when you are stressed? How are your thoughts or behaviors different from times when you do not feel stressed? Identify your sources of stress What events or situations trigger stressful feelings? Are they related to your children, family, health, financial decisions, work, relationships, or something else? Learn your own stress signals People experience stress in different ways. You may have a hard time concentrating or making decisions. You can feel angry or irritable, or experience headaches, muscle tension, or a lack of energy. What are your signals? Recognize how you deal with stre...

  Relating to and managing stress Stress is a normal part of life. However, overwhelming feelings of distress come from how we relate to it. What is our relationship to our stress? Do we see it as something positive (“I am alive, and I have things of value in my life which are worth protecting.”), or do we relate to stress as a negative (“I am so overwhelmed! I can’t handle this.”)? If we perceive our stress as a bad thing, or feel that we are in danger, our body starts responding to that perceived threat. Typical reactions include a fight, flight, or freeze response. Stress may be a natural part of life, but how we manage our stress is important. We should be able to regulate it so it does not escalate to distress. Too much stress, or poorly managed stress, can have some very unpleasant consequences. Here are some tips to help manage your stress: • Create a healthy routine/schedule. Make sure you get enough sleep, eat well, stay hydrated, and have a healthy balance between work a...

It’s normal to experience some moments of anxiety and stress in your life, like feeling nervous about public speaking or a job interview. Stress isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, your stress response is a survival mechanism that motivates you to get through life’s demands. When your brain perceives a threat, it signals your body to release a burst of hormones that increase your heart rate and raise your blood pressure. This “fight-or-flight” response helps you deal with the threat. Once the threat is gone, your body is meant to return to a normal, relaxed state. Unfortunately, the nonstop complications of modern life mean that some people’s alarm systems rarely shut off. Stressors that won’t go away can cause chronic stress. Chronic stress makes you feel like you are in fight-or flight mode all the time. This response can damage your physical and mental health when you feel it for long periods of time. Chronic stress may leave you feeling angry and irritable. It can lead to sleep prob...

Finding ways to take care of yourself on a regular basis can reduce stress and help prevent physical and mental health problems. It’s like taking care of a car: if you change the oil regularly, you’re less likely to have a breakdown. The following tips can help keep your mind and body running well. Live a healthy lifestyle Making healthy choices has a big impact on your overall well-being. Exercise regularly, eat healthy foods, get enough sleep, and avoid alcohol and drug use. Engaging in healthy habits that make your body feel good can also help with your mental health. Try to think of positive changes you can make in your daily routine. Establish a primary care provider Seeing a trusted healthcare provider regularly is also a great step toward a healthy lifestyle. Providers can screen for health risks that you may not be aware of. They can answer questions about your health and give expert advice when you need it. This is especially important if you already have health problems or me...

  May has been observed as Mental Health Awareness month since 1949.  This is an excellent opportunity to take time and check in with how well you and your loved ones are doing in regards to mental health.   Although there is no bad time to manage mental health, the past couple of years have strained many people across many professions.  For that reason it feels especially appropriate this year to take extra time out to make sure we are all doing our best to manage mental health struggles, catch small problems early, and maintain good health when we are well.   A range of resources is listed below, check out any that are relevant to your situation: For short term counseling for State of Vermont Employees, check out the Employee Assistance Program For an uplifting, motivational TEDxTalk on  Emotional Health For an article from NAMI on the  Traits of Resilient People For access to a Mental Health America Mental Health Test For an article from Y...

  Please join us for our latest challenge, Cultivate Calm!  Beginning on May 23, this is a fantastic opportunity to take a guided tour through a variety of stress management techniques.  This challenge builds beautifully on the Highlight Happiness challenge but also is an excellent place to jump in as we continue on our theme of Progress over Perfection for 2022. Each week will have a theme, and biweekly emails will be sent for inspiration. Within each week, the five weekdays will have an activity to help you experience the theme through a new avenue.   For instance, during the week of meditation we experience silent, guided, moving, walking, and nature meditations.   We celebrate the different ways to manage stress as we appreciate that we are all unique!     Registration is open from 5/9 to 5/27; log into the portal here and sign up under the Challenges tab.   Are you having difficulty using the portal?  There are resources for gui...

  Special thank you to our friends over at Green Up Vermont for all they do to keep our state spectacular! 2022 GREEN UP DAY IS MAY 7! Green Up Vermont’s mission is to promote the stewardship of our state’s natural landscape and waterways, and the livability of our communities by involving people in Green Up Day while raising public awareness about the health, economic, and visual benefits of a litter-free environment year-round. Pick up your Green Up trash bags and get out in your community on Saturday, May 7 to clean up your neighborhood roads and waterways. As a volunteer, you make a huge difference for our environment.   FIND YOUR SPECIFIC TOWN DETAILS Wondering where to get your free Green Up bags and details on what to do with the picked up trash along with other info? Click here ! GREEN UP MENTOR PROGRAM   Green Up has launched a mentor program that teams  motivated neighborhood students with their Volunteer Town Coordinator.  Contact us to learn mor...

A special announcement from our friends over at VCCCSAR, hosting the Corporate Cup : Race Day: - In-Person: 5/19/22, Beginning at 6:00 PM - Virtual: 5/19/22 - 7/31/22, Run or Walk at Any Time Registration Deadlines & Fees: -In-person: 5/5/2022  $40 (with t-shirt), $34 (without t-shirt) -Virtual: 7/31/2022 $40 (with t-shirt), $34 (without t-shirt) We are pleased to be able to host an in-person/virtual hybrid event this year, which marks the 39th year of one of Vermont's oldest and largest races.  The Vermont Corporate Cup Challenge and State Agency Race is a 5 kilometer team running/walking event open to businesses, government and non-profit organizations in Vermont. The purpose of this event is to promote physical fitness within the workplace and at home by bringing employees together to enjoy and experience the benefits of fitness. We are grateful for your support and efforts to protect yourself and others. Your support benefits the programs and events of the Vermont Gove...